Best Tourist Sim Cards in India in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in India across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to India, having a reliable source of internet access is essential. Whether it’s finding your way around unfamiliar cities, discovering the top-rated restaurants, making online reservations, hailing a taxi, or sharing memorable moments with your loved ones, having internet access on the go can greatly enhance your travel experience.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly accumulate, especially when traveling internationally. Therefore, it is advisable to consider either an eSIM or a local SIM card to take advantage of the more affordable local phone rates.
Thankfully, obtaining an eSIM or a local SIM card in India is a hassle-free process. Nevertheless, it is important to understand which option is better suited for your needs. This guide aims to provide you with all the essential information regarding purchasing a SIM card in India, including the most up-to-date pricing and recommendations on the best SIM card available for you to buy.
There are three mobile internet operators in India: Airtel, Jio and Vi (Vodafone). All three operators offer fairly similar prices and packages and all three will work fine, however, Jio has the best coverage across the country which is why I recommend it slightly above the others. Jio and Airtel both offer very affordable sim cards with generous data packages.
For the price, you really can’t beat any of the local prepaid sim cards, however, buying sim cards in India is problematic for foreigners. Many official sim card stores will be completely unable to issue a sim card to a foreigner.
For me, nowhere in Varanasi knew how to sell me a sim card (because I didn’t have a local ID) besides the hotel I was staying in – which charged an extremely high price for the service. On top of this, I have heard countless stories of people trying to buy sim cards at official Jio and Airtel stores and being turned away without any luck.
If you’re looking for the most convenient option then I have to recommend purchasing an Airalo eSim. The Airalo app is blocked in India, so you need to purchase and activate the eSim before arriving in India, then it will work without any issues – this is what I opted for the last time I visited due to the challenges above. I advise this option largely due to the fact that being able to purchase a sim card in India is extremely unreliable for foreigners and can end up sucking up a lot of your time.
A Tourist Sim Card in India costs around 299 INR in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in India will cost between $4.50 USD and $27 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting India which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $16 USD.
There are three main sim card providers in India: Airtel, Jio and Vi. All three companies offer similar tourist sim cards at extremely reasonable prices.
Airtel and Jio are the best in terms of network connectivity and in-store service. However, don’t be surprised if they aren’t helpful, don’t speak English or are unable to sell you a sim card – especially if you’re in less tourist-y locations.
Overall, I found the network coverage for all providers to be better than expected in India. Power outages are common in some places which naturally cause mobile data to stop working. I also found that narrow streets and thick walls in a lot of areas caused slow network speeds, and trains would often cut out in rural areas.
Airtel is the second largest telco in India and offers good network coverage and speeds across the country. Airtel typically has stores in major airports that are set up to sell sim cards to foreigners, making it a really good option for international tourists.
The sim cards offer generous amounts of data for extremely low prices, however, airport pricing can be inflated. Despite this, I still recommend purchasing your Airtel sim card at the airport as they are used to helping tourists.
It is also worth noting that I have heard reports that Airtel is the most likely sim card provider in India to be able to issue sim cards to foreigners, so it is likely worth checking them out first.
The price of a Airtel tourist sim card in India is 299 INR.
The plan offered by Airtel stores includes 1.5GB data per day + unlimited calls valid for 28 days.
Jio is the largest sim card provider in India and offers the best 5G internet speeds and widest network coverage across the country.
I typically recommend Jio to tourists as they sell high data plans with 5G data for very low prices making it a fantastic choice for tourists.
That said, due to unnecessarily strict bureaucracy surrounding issuing sim cards to foreigners, a lot of tourists have reported Jio being unable to sell them a sim card. If you are able to purchase a sim card from them then it will be good, but at this point I wouldn’t rely on it.
The price of a Jio tourist sim card in India is 299 INR.
The plan offered by Jio stores offers 2GB data per day valid for 28 days.
Vi, formerly Vodafone, is also one of the largest telco companies in India. Their network is reportedly significantly worse than Jio and Airtel, especially in rural areas.
Given the low price of sim cards in India, I would consider Vi to be the last choice for tourists after Airalo, Airtel and Jio.
The price of a Vi tourist sim card in India is 299 INR.
The plan offered by Vi stores includes 1.5GB data per day valid for 28 days.
Identify the mobile providers in India: Airtel, Jio and Vi are your best options in India.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in India. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in India to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Airtel, Jio or Vi staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Airtel that includes 1.5GB data per day + unlimited calls for 299 INR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay around 299 INR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for India at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in India then you will be in luck. All major international airports in India have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Airtel, Jio and Vi. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in India are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in India with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to India. The Airalo India eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $16 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in India without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in India is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to India and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s India eSim uses the Airtel network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Airtel networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in India.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s India eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $16 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $27 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $16 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s India eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s India eSim uses the Airtelnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in India
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s India eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
The eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card embedded within a device like a phone or tablet. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it does not require physical insertion or removal.
Instead, the eSIM is part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This enables users to switch between different networks or plans without physically changing SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience and flexibility, especially for frequent travelers or those who frequently change networks. It eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can scan a QR code or enter activation details provided by their network operator. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen network and access voice, data, and messaging services like a regular SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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